Jumbo Welcome: 101 artist designed elephants enter the City of Mumbai through the Gateway of India

26 February 2018: Politicians, celebrities, artists and designers came together at the Gateway of India Mumbai, where a stunning display of 101 artistic elephants were assembled to celebrate the launch of the first ever Elephant Parade India. The elephants will be paraded across the city in a series of public art exhibitions and simultaneously be sold at an online auction on Paddle8, online auction partner, going live on Wednesday 28 February 2018.

Shri Devendra Fadnavis, Hon'ble Chief Minister of Maharashtra inaugurated the parade with Smt. Maneka Gandhi, Hon'ble Minister of Women and Child Development & Founder, People for Animals and Smt. Poonam Mahajan, Hon'ble Member of Parliament (Lok Sabha) and Parade Ambassador.

Created as part of the UK India Year of Culture, Elephant Parade India is organised by Elephant Family in association with Good Earth and in partnership with the Wildlife Trust of India. The sales generated through the online auction will raise funds to secure 101 crucial Indian elephant corridors, the pathways that elephants depend upon to get from one forest feeding ground to the next.

Ruth Ganesh, Trustee Elephant Family said: “We dreamed of the Gateway of India to launch our herd and never quite believed it would come true. Today made us feel like children in a sweet shop on a sugar high. Thank you and get ready Mumbai - these elephants will bring you so much joy.”

Poonam Mahajan, Parade Ambassador added: “Having worked as an environmentalist and animal lover for so long, I was thrilled to be approached by the Elephant Family to support the same cause which we have been working on with People for Animals for Asiatic Elephants. It’s important to us as over the past 100 years we’ve lost 90% of Asian Elephants, and now as nature, the environment and human beings all co-exist together, awareness is now coming, and it is time for action. By showcasing these beautifully painted 101 elephants by renowned artists and designers all across the city of Mumbai we are bringing everyone together to increase that awareness. Through this initiative we’d like to raise significant funds to help India’s 101 corridors for elephants, and build the crucial rescue centres around the forests that are so needed. This wonderful art exhibition we have launched is the first step and the exhibition is open to all Mumbaikars .”

Notes to Editors

Elephant FamilyElephant Family is an international NGO dedicated to protecting the Asian elephant from extinction in the wild. In the last 100 years their population has plummeted by 90%. Wild habitat is shrinking at a rapid pace leading to an increasingly fierce competition between people and elephants for living space and food. Poaching and demand for wild caught babies for tourism remain a constant threat. Since 2002 Elephant Family has funded over 160 conservation projects and has raised over £10m through public art events for this endangered animal. Elephant Family funds pioneering projects across Asia to reconnect forest fragments, prevent human-elephant conflict and fight wildlife crime.

Supported by:Joint Royal Presidents: TRH The Prince of Wales and The Duchess of Cornwall and Patron His Highness Maharaja Gaj Sing II of Marwar,Jodhpur

Elephant ParadeElephant Parade® is a social enterprise and runs the world’s largest art exhibition of decorated elephant statues. Created by artists and celebrities, each Elephant Parade statue is a unique art piece. The life-size, baby elephant statues are exhibited in international cities and raise awareness for the need of elephant conservation. Limited edition, handcrafted replicas and a select range of products are created from the exhibition elephants. 20% of Elephant Parade net profits are donated to elephant welfare and conservation projects.Website: ​www.elephantparade.com

Wildlife Trust of IndiaWildlife Trust of India is Elephant Family's main conservation partner in India. WTI is a leading Indian nature conservation organisation committed to the service of nature. Its mission is to conserve wildlife and its habitat and to work for the welfare of individual wild animals, in partnership with communities and governments. WTI’s team of 150 dedicated professionals work towards achieving its vision of a secure natural heritage of India, in six priority landscapes, knit holistically together by seven key strategies or Big Ideas. Website: ​www.wti.org.in

Good EarthGood Earth is everyday luxury defined by an intense connection to nature, history, heritage and original design through an Indian prism. Our commitment to collaborating with artisan communities is rooted in an appreciation of our artisans as the wellspring of India’s creativity. At Good Earth, Sustainable Luxury is a passionate belief that we can support the planet and its people, in a meaningful and relevant way, through the revival of craft and cultural traditions. As India’s leading design house, we are known for our storytelling through surface design and sustaining the craft traditions of our culture. Our 10 shops in India as well as our web boutique – ​www.goodearth.in dynamically presents the many pieces of a lifestyle puzzle including: Apparel, Dining, Bed, Décor Accessories, Wellness, Gumdrops , Gifts and Cafés.

For more information in the sale of the elephants, please call + 91 70455 81234
E: moneeta@seventyemg.com